Author and comedian Ian Moore talks to us about his latest novel Death and Papa Noel and the success of his murder-mystery novels set in France.
Ian Moore is a stand-up comedian and writer, living in rural France. He has headlined London's famous Comedy Store and has made numerous TV and radio appearances. Suffolk readers will be familiar with Ian's Follet Valley Mystery books. Death and Croissants was published in 2021.
Death and Fromage followed in July 2022 and there will also be a Christmas story, Death and Papa Noel which is due for publication by Farrago in October 2022. You can also find all of Ian's Follet Valley series books on our catalogue.
I think heroes are something that start to appear in your early teens, which makes it slightly odd that most of my heroes were long since dead by mine in the early 1980s. All of my heroes represented a different world, somewhere completely removed from my own suburban existence. David Niven, Humphrey Bogart, Bing Crosby - all of them had elements of the person I wanted to be, David Niven especially whose memoirs are always a go-to in times of crisis even now.
It happened early on at secondary school. Kids my age who had older brothers started dressing differently; smartly, self-consciously but, crucially, differently. Later in life, when I needed some 'parameters', I went back to it. Now, in my early 50s, it's a battle to keep the look going but the ethos of inclusivity still remains.
Valérie is a composite of every terrifying French woman over 40 that I've ever met; a cold, literal logic, utter self-confidence and poise. Richard, on the other hand, isn't a million miles away from me. His desire for peace and quiet, certainly and his reluctance to 'get involved', possibly. I would like to think I'm more dynamic, but I'm probably not.
It took a while, but then it also took me 10 years to say that I was a stand-up comic, especially when filling out car insurance forms! I'm always petrified of being seen to be a fraud, so I generally hedge my bets when asked what I do. Currently I answer 'flâneur' because it sounds so exotic and people rarely ask what on earth you're gibbering on about.
I think it's because they are pure escapism. There's nothing heavy, upsetting or - probably most importantly - anything to remind the reader of the outside world, and a lot of people need that right now. I know I do! The publisher, Farrago, has a strapline, 'Books to make you smile.' I think the Follet Valley series does that, or that's the intention anyway!
My publisher wanted a Christmas story to keep the momentum up following the release of Death and Croissants, so I came up with a story that was seasonal and warm-hearted. It's not a traditional whodunnit mystery as readers will find out.
The next instalment of Richard and Valérie's adventures is out next summer, Death at the Château. Richard and Valérie are employed as personal security on the production of a major Hollywood film being shot near Richard's B&B and it does not go to plan. This is partly because Richard has an on-going feud with an aristocratic peacock and partly because the cast of the film keep being bumped off.
That is so difficult! And my answer to something like that would change hourly. So, right this minute? Side Two of The Beatles' Abbey Road, original mono vinyl version obviously.
It was very early on in my stand up career and a booker said, 'Don't apologise for being there,' meaning show some authority and confidence. A little authority, justified or not, can get you a long way.
From the age of 6 until 10, I lived just over the border in Norfolk.
